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DC New 52 Review: Batman #1-5

2012-01-19T10:24:00.015-06:00

Batman #1-5
Written by Scott Snyder
Pencils by Greg Capullo
Inks by Jonathan Glapion
Cover Price: $2.99 Each

In a nutshell:
Scott Snyder tells a new classic Batman story an adds another iconic element to the Batman mythos.

Synopsis:
Batman discovers a secret society called The Court of Owls that claims to have been in place since the beginning of Gotham City centuries ago. The Owls have their own parallels to the history of Bruce Wayne's family and they claim to be running Gotham from the shadows. It is unknown who is a member of the group but it is implied that there are many high up in society. Batman is resistant to the idea. When he was younger he was obsessed with his parents deaths and he refused to believe that it could have been a random act of violence and he started investigating (even as a boy) the existence of a secret society. The conclusion that he came up with as a boy was that the evidence showed that there wasn't a court of owls. And as an adult he seems to be having a hard time accepting that he could have been wrong about that, perhaps because the "unknown assassin" of his parents kept him from finding resolution which feeds his need to be Batman. Perhaps it is because he has obsessive control issues and has a need to be on top of everything, to not be wrong. Regardless, this case affects Batman in a very personal way.

Why did I pick it up?
I didn't pick this book up when it first came out. I didn't know who Scott Snyder was yet and I had a kind of prejudice against Greg Capullo because I associated him with Todd McFarlane's Spawn and some early issues of X-Force, none of which impressed me much. But the word of mouth at the comic shop praising this book got so loud I couldn't ignore it and by the time the third issue was released I was caught up.

The Good:
This is one of those Batman stories like Year One, Long Halloween, The Killing Joke, and Hush, that not only will be remembered as a classic Batman story, but is bound to add something iconic to the mythos that will stick. The Court of Owls' assassin, The Talon, is an intriguing villain (villains?) and very visually cool. The relationship between Bats and Owls offers interesting parallels to the story and the connection to the Wayne family history is also intriguing. I keep coming up with ideas of what the connection is, did the Court kill his parents? My favorite but most far fetched theory is that the court killed the original Bruce Wayne at birth and replaced him with the Bruce Wayne we know who is actually a sleeper "Talon" programmed to be an assassin for them. Regardless, this is a story that gets you wondering what's really going on here which really enjoying the ride. And after reading an issue, and prejudice I had about Greg Capullo's art is gone. Story and art, this story stands right up there with all the other classic iconic Batman stories.

The latest issue, #6, follows a disorientated Batman and the way the art is placed on the pages plays with the experience Batman is going through. It's touches like this that add something special to what is already a great book.

The Bad:
In the coming months DC will be raising the price of the book to $3.99. Now, they are adding a 10 page backup story so you're actually paying less for those ten additional pages than you did for the 20 pages of the main story at $2.99. But in general I'm not a big fan of backup stories. They're generally disposable and I hate the idea of paying extra for them. That said, Snyder is writing the backup stories and they're said to relate to the main story so they might be more relevant to what's going on in the comic, but I'd still rather the full story be contained in the main story and the bigger issue I have with this is that an extra dollar per comic means I can only afford to buy less comics per month with a tighter budget than I had ten years ago.

Is it worth it?
Even with the upcoming price hike, this is one of those Batman stories you should be reading if you have any interest in the character at all. If you don't want to read it as single issues then I highly recommend buying the collected story when it's eventually released as a softcover or hardcover. Personally, this is one I wouldn't want to wait for. Recommended for comic collectors and for people who don't read comics but have an interest in the characters.

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Diary of a Millionaire Bully

2012-01-04T15:06:00.008-06:00

Commentary

Multimillionaire Jeff Kinney, the creator of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" book series, suing the very small publisher Antarctic Press for copyright infringement for producing an obvious parody, "Diary of a Zombie Kid", is a perfect example of the greed of the rich run amok. We live in a country where millionaires and big business ask for less regulations of their practices, and yet they use the government to create a fence around their intellectual properties. "Diary of Wimpy Kid" has become a household name and in doing so it's going to get spoofed. Lots of companies are spoofed all the time. And it's unlikely that Jeff Kinney will win. But here is the strategy of Jeff Kinney and other parasites like him, the millionaire attacks the little guy, outspends the little guy to the degree that the little guy is seriously damaged just by fighting back threatens the little guy with the loss of money to the extent that it would bankrupt him. The cost of defending yourself is so much worse than giving in, that most won't fight these kinds of bullies back. And that's exactly what Jeff Kinney is, not a "wimpy kid", but a bully.

This is exactly what the term "parody" describes. I admit it's an imperfect parody as the art is much better in the parody (which may be what this is really about, Jeff Kinney feeling insecure and threatened by a better artist), but lets be honest here, this parody does nothing that damages Jeff Kinney or his intellectual property which has become way more successful than it deserves to be. This man got lucky and he's let his success go to his head. And because of his strong-arm tactics and greed he won't get one bloody dollar more from me or my kids.

DC New 52 Review: Justice League #3-4

2011-12-21T06:41:00.022-06:00

I don't think I've written a scathing review yet. I've been more than fair to most of the titles I've reviewed. Well, I have to say, I've really given this book the benefit of the doubt so far and I think I have to lay it out there...

Justice League #3-4
Written by Geoff Johns
Pencils by Jim Lee
Inks by Scott Williams
Cover Price: $3.99 Each

In a nutshell:
Each issue another hero joins in on the action. "Hey, lets team up!", (insert some childish comment from green lantern here) Big Action, Big Action... Next issue, another hero joins in on the action... "Hey, lets team up!", (insert some childish comment from green lantern here)...

Synopsis:
By the end of the fourth issue you realize that there hasn't been a breath since first panel of the first issue, and that's not a good thing. The story started in issue one with Batman and Green Lantern in action and each issue another character has joined in on the action in an implausible way, and there is almost no story besides the action. The story that is there seems stuffed in in an unnatural way. In fact, nothing in this comic feels natural (Cyborg gets one of the most bizarrely rushed origins I ever read). Geoff Johns has written some of the best stories by DC Comics in the last decade. This is not one of them. I remember listening to Jeff Loeb being interviewed on WordBalloon once and he spoke of how he tailors his stories for his artist and I can't help but feel that that is what Johns is trying to do here because nothing here feels like a Geoff Johns story. The difference is that when Loeb did Hush with Jim Lee he actually had a story with all the bells and whistles. The dialog in this story seems like it's trying to be Brian Michael Bendis but reads more like Tiny Titans. The characters don't even seem to have the same personality that they do in the other books that Geoff Johns is writing that features them. Now come on, be honest, Johns didn't really write this, did he?

Why did I pick it up?
Because this is the series that has gotten the most media attention, I'm committed to seeing this story arc through.

The Good:
In the third issue we finally get Wonder Woman although she seems to have the bubbly naive personality Starfire had in the classic New Teen Titans stories. And the story really gives props to Aquaman who comes off as a major badass in this story. But the draw of the book is getting to see Jim Lee draw all the major icons, even if their appearance is some what less iconic because of the ridiculously out of date costume modifications by Jim Lee. And by issue four Lee's art finally is starting to look like what we expect from the superstar and I have to say Jim Lee can make even the lame look pretty spectacular.

The Bad:
I'm going to use this space on a little commentary about Cyborg's new look. In the 20th century we had this vision of what the 21st century would be like that was "big". The future was expected to be huge and metallic, and blasting off. But the reality is that the trend of the 21st century has been the opposite. Everything is becoming more subtle. Instead of bigger, it's been smaller. Instead of in your face graphic design, we get "classic". So if Cyborg was added to this team because he's the character that DC feels represents the 21st Century, why is his new design anything but? Don't get me wrong, Jim Lee does cool machines as well as anyone, but I don't think that's 21st Century. How about making Cyborg look a little more like an iPhone, sleek, classic, subtle, with a whole lot of surprises packed inside...

Is it worth it?
This book is a dollar more than the other DC titles and the extras aren't interesting at all. The appeal is the art and for some people that's enough. But it wasn't enough to keep Image Comics on top in the 90s and this is the weakest story I've ever seen Geoff Johns write. I'm still holding out a little hope that the story will really pull together, but this feels like an improve session that so far just goes on and on and on...

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DC New 52 Review: Wonder Woman #4

2011-12-21T06:41:00.015-06:00

Wonder Woman #4
Written by Brian Azzarello
Art by Cliff Chang
Cover Price: $2.99

In a nutshell:
The Goddess Hera is really pissed off that Wonder Woman is the illegitimate child of her husband and she decides to pay Paradise Island a visit.

Synopsis:
Hera is a jealous Goddess. She is very deeply hurt that her husband seems to have no interest in her but is out shagging everyone else. She also feels betrayed by Queen Hippolyta whom she has favored. From the three previous issues I expected her to be vicious. What has surprised me and adds layers to the character, is that she genuinely seems to feel love for Hippolyta whose betrayal might hurt her as much as her husband's cheating, and regret for the vengeance she knows her anger demands. Anyone who has been in her situation can relate to her. The quality that makes her pathetic is that she continues to pine for Zeus, who is obviously unworthy of her love, instead of demanding more for herself and moving on. But then, Gods can be as human as anyone and while there are those of us who make very intentional decisions so that we are not tragedies of our circumstance, there are many that see a sense of romance in their own tragedy of love and even though of us who get beyond it have to suffer through it before hand. Meanwhile Wonder Woman is getting to know her half sister Strife and gets some perspective of her family and her relationship with her mother. But just as in life, sometimes we don't say the things we should to the people we love until it's too late...

The Good:
Here's an example of a story that isn't trying to meet our expectations of what the 21st Century would be, but adapts it's myth in an authentic manner for the time. The Greek Gods aren't so regal, they're more of a reflection of ourselves which seems appropriate and relevant. There is a depression to them which represents the depression of the times we live in which is filled with disappointment and uncertain expectations. And of course it is in a world such as this that heroism can truly have meaning. Unlike the last incarnation of Wonder Woman, this version seems accessible, more human and down to earth in her emotions, and yet even more heroic in her dealing with them.

The Bad:
Towards the end of the book Wonder Woman returns to Paradise Island and it is clear what has happened to her mother, but it's not clear what happened to the other Amazons and I'm not sure if I'm supposed to know or if it's purposefully left vague and that's never a good feeling to have when you're reading a comic. But the real bad here is that this book deserves to be pushed by DC's marketing department the same way Action Comics and Justice League is. Wonder Woman is an icon. This, while perhaps not the story I thought I wanted for Wonder Woman, is a story that finally makes the character interesting. DC has emphasized it's reinvention of Superman in this relaunch. Here we have a reinvention of Wonder Woman, another of it's icons, that mirrors it in relevance and DC hasn't given it nearly the push it deserves.

Is it worth it?
My only frustration is that I have to wait a month for the next chapter!

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DC New 52 Review: Frankenstein Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #1-4

2011-12-15T00:54:00.023-06:00

I'm going to alter my formula for reviews a tad for this one because this book is a team book and it's a team book with unfamiliar characters who I think need some explanation. This is also the first complete story arc I've reviewed so far.

Frankenstein Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #1-4
Written by Jeff Lemire
Art by Alberto Ponticelli
Cover Price: $2.99

In a nutshell:
This is like a hybrid between League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Hellboy with Universal Monsters mixed in. Don't let this book intimidate you, it's nothing but fun!

Why Did I Buy It:
The gorgeous covers by J. G. Jones really caught my attention but it was probably listening to an interview with Jeff Lemire on the WorldBalloon (highly recommended, best podcast about comics barnone!) which made me want to give the book a try.

The Characters:

S.H.A.D.E.
Stands for Super Human Advanced Defense Executive. It's a government organization that monitors and basically goes out and kills dangerous monsters.

Frankenstein: Presumably the Frankenstein monster from the classic novel, having survived for over a century and having been a Super Agent of S.H.A.D.E. for at least a while, killing off monsters and stuff like that. He is the leader of the new field team formed by S.H.A.D.E. He's a badass but he takes things very seriously and has an outspoken cautious morality when it comes to scientific indulgence. He's also very gentlemanly with the ladies. He also likes to recite classical poetry that has significance to him. He's basically the opposite of a pseudo intellectual. He's sophisticated and has a lot of culture but doesn't seem to give a damn about showing it off and usually is very standoffish and gruff.

Father Time: Another character who is very very old and has known and worked with Frankenstein for a long time. He generates himself new bodies every ten years and he is currently inhabiting the body of a Japanese schoolgirl which he seems to have a twisted sense of humor about and which seems to creep out the people who know him. He's basically the head guy of S.H.A.D.E. and he seems to be a little cavalier when it comes to scientific experiments.

Ray Palmer: Best known as the DC superhero The Atom, Ray is a scientist who seems to have perfected shrinking thing down beyond microscopic levels. It's not clear yet in this series if he was once The Atom of if that hasn't happened yet in this new continuity. He is the United Nations science liaison with the team. He observes the field team and helps them out with scientific solutions via holograms and audio feeds. He seems to have reservations about a lot of Father Time's scientific "progresses".

The Creature Commandos (Frankenstein's Field Team):

Lady Frankenstein:: Frankenstein's long time estranged wife. She seems to feel that they are essentially divorced, he seems to have a hard time acknowledging it. There were obviously personality issues that kept them from being a couple, however there seems to be a respect for each other, at least in their work (which is killing monsters). She is plainspoken and a little bitchy and she's a badass with her guns of which she has four because she has four arms. It looks like she might be the femme fatale of the group.

Dr. Nina Mazusky: She's the field science agent. She was married and was going to have a baby but the baby died and her husband left her so she decided to really throw herself into her work which lead to her transforming herself and other people into monster/human hybrids. She herself is an amphibian hybrid. Unlike the rest of the new team, Frankenstein takes to her right away and there seems to be some chemistry between the two. She is almost maternal with the creatures that she's experimented on and she builds an attachment to them which seems like it might create problems for her down the road.

Warren Griffith: One of Mazursky's hybrid, him being a werewolf hybrid. He is a new recruit to S.H.A.D.E. and is very eager to please his superiors. In this storyline it is suggested that Warren might be a potential love interest for Lady Frankenstein which you could see creating some drama with Frankenstein whom Warren looks up to.

Vincent Velcoro: Another of Mazursky's hybrids, him being vampiric mixed in with a modified version of the formula that created the batman villain Man-Bat. He was a pilot of S.H.A.D.E. before becoming a hybrid. He's got some attitude and can be a bit of a smartass.

Khalis: A mummy character which nobody seems to know that much about. He is the medic off the team and isn't as chatty as the other characters. He also has some very powerful mysterious abilities which take a toll on him when he uses them.

The Base of Operations:
S.H.A.D.E.'s base is called the Ant Farm which is a three inch indestructible floating ball which contains contains a microscopic futuristic city which is maintained by thousands organic robots who have a lifespan of 24 hours and then decompose to be used as a "green" energy source for the city. Only agents are permitted to enter the ant farm and to do so they are simultaneously shrank to microscopic size and teleported in.

Synopsis:
A small town in Washington State is invaded by monsters. The Creature Commandos investigate and discover that there is a wormhole inside the lake near the town and that for years monsters have been coming out of this lake and ultra-religious town folk have been sacrificing children from their town for year thinking that it was appeasing the "demons", which the monsters found amusing. What the monsters were really doing there was preparing a planet wide invasion for their masters whose planet is dying off. So the Creature Commandos decide to go through the wormhole and take the fight to the source.

The Good:
This book is pure escapism. It's mostly monsters fighting monsters, but you don't feel like a simpleton for enjoying it. It's well written and it has a sense of humor about itself. The covers by J. G. Jones are drop dead gorgeous and the interior art is very expressive and captures a lot of the personality of these characters while at the same time throwing a lot of big scale fantastic action at you.

The Bad:
Because the covers are so gorgeous they might create certain expectations and the interior art is such a dramatically different style, it might put off a lot of the people who were drawn to the book because of the covers (which is as good a reason as any). Ponticelli's art is a looser and sketchier style and it doesn't have the immediate appeal of J.G. Jones' covers. It took me actually sitting down to read the first issue to be drawn in but once I was really pulled in by Ponticelli's art which can really represent a lot of different layers in really nice way.

Is it worth it?
Only if you want to read a fun comic!

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DC New 52 Review: Action Comics #4

2011-12-10T14:02:00.014-06:00

Action Comics #4
Written by Grant Morrison
Pencils by Rags Morales
Inks by Rick Byrant & Sean Parsons
Cover Price: $3.99

In a nutshell:
Braniac attacks using Metallo but we only get a snippet.

Synopsis:
The world is under attack when the machines of the world take life and start attacking people. The machines are being controlled by a being that calls itself "The Collector of Worlds" but it's pretty clear that this is the new DC Universe's version of Braniac, which, like Geoff John's and Gary Frank's version in the collected story Superman Braniac, has a Borg like quality a la Star Trek, which was a characteristic in the Superman Mythos since the Silver Age but really hasn't been capitalized in a modern way until this last decade. Lex Luthor helped bring this alien here however when he finds that the alien can't be bothered with him further he ends up acting very wormy (not unlike the way Gene Hackman portrayed him in Superman 2 with Zod). It's obvious that unlike past versions of Lex Luthor that has had this reverence for him as the ultimate Superman villain, Grant Morrison has little respect for him and sees him as a pathetic fool. Which isn't to suggest that I don't think that Morrison will make him a credible threat. But it's not this romantically evil character that we've seen before and I can't help but enjoy this take on this very real character in our society. Suddenly this world that just last issue was crapping all over Superman through it's 24 hour news cycle is suddenly asking itself where he is, and will he help us.

Why did I pick it up?
Grant Morrison has won me over. I used to think he was terribly overrated but this man has consistently proven to me that he can tell many kinds of amazing stories.

The Good:
You have to appreciate the irony here, suddenly everyone who was treating Superman as a threat is asking him for help. And again, I normally expect and appreciate Superman's modest and stoic quality that Christopher Reeves made such an example of, but you know, I think that when we see our world being eaten by the parasites who know how to work the system, not just the ones outside of it, it's hard not to see a man, who has so many powers and abilities and who refuses to challenge the system himself and who refuses to take any kind of stand for people in need if it might be considered political, as anything other than impotent which I think is exactly what Superman had become. Here, when the cops show up to arrest Superman at a moment of world crises, he's flippant. "Are you kidding? Slap on the bracelets boys. Otherwise stand back... and let me do my job!" He's not mocking them for being weak, he's mocking them for being so irrelevant to the real crises. And that's our problem in our real world so there is a payoff here!

The Bad:
It hasn't been that long since we got the Superman Braniac story by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank and so far this story hasn't really added anything to the Braniac Attacks motif. Making the Braniac character an insect of sorts is kind of creepy, which is cool, but it doesn't feel as creepy to me as the way Gary Frank portrayed Braniac and I think that when you rebook something you have to compare it to what it's immediately replacing. The back up story featuring John Henry Irons becoming Steel did nothing for me. It's not that it's poorly written or that the art is bad, I'm just not interested in the character of Steel. He's not who I buy the book for and having a story within a story just feels like a cheap way to squeeze something extra in that really wasn't needed. The art isn't a style that really turns me on. It just felt like filler and distracting filler because it takes place right in the middle of the story but it's by another writer and it just feels like a cheap way to introduce another character, and do we really need another introduction this early?

Is it worth it?
I feel like we haven't gotten enough movement in the main story for two months now and we're going to have to wait until issue 7 to move this story further since the next two issues are going to be an interlude, but it's the subtle presentation by Morrison of the character of Superman that makes this book worth following. I don't think the Steel extra justified the additional dollar that this book costs when compared to the other DC titles so hopefully DC is going to find their groove in justifying the extra dollar instead of just adding in filler.

DC New 52 Review: I, Vampire #3

2011-12-01T10:01:00.017-06:00

Please note, I have reviews posted for I, Vampire #1 and I, Vampire #2.

I, Vampire #3
Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov
Art by Andrea Sorrentino
Cover Price: $2.99

In a nutshell:
We finally get some supporting characters as we meet Andrew Bennet's (the pro-human vampire) closest friend as well as a new ally.

Synopsis:
Once again the story is told from the point of view of a character, this time that of Professor John Throughton, a human, who has been a friend and ally of Andrew Bennett since Andrew saved him from becoming a victim of Mary in 1979. We learn that before the current escalating war between vampires and humans there was five years of vampire ceasefire with the only violence against humans being isolated instances. Andrew and John discuss Andrew's connection with the other vampires and John wonders whether Andrew is aware that if he took his own life it would end the threat of his offspring. As they prepare their move against the evil vampire forces, Andrew is attacked by a young girl named Tig who was taught to fight vampires by her mom after her father was killed by one. We get here an idea of what the "good guy" team in the Vampire War will be.

Why did I pick it up?
While I do think that I, Vampire #2 killed some of the momentum of the first issue by basically rehashing a lot of the same information (but from a different point of view), I still felt a strong interest in this book and where it's going.

The Good:
We finally get some more characters. As much as I think the relationship between Andrew and his lover/enemy Mary is the core of this book, by the end of the second book I felt that by focusing two issues on just that, we weren't getting enough of a picture of the world they live in. The character of John gives us a broader perspective on Andrew in particular, as a character he feels a kinship with, but also as a character he has some questions about as well. The character of Tig is not the most original character so far but she has the potential to add another dimension to this book. The art continues to be amazing and I think it serves this story very well. In fact, I have a hard time envisioning this book with a different artist and I'm hoping that it doesn't come to that, at least anytime soon.

The Bad:
I feel like the first person narrative is limiting the pace of this story as well as boxing it into a corner that keeps us focused very close (which is good) but at the cost of really getting a sense of what the bigger world feels like. We've seen the horrific images, but we haven't really seen a lot of pedestrians and normal world interaction. I think that this format can also feel a little inauthentic if it becomes an ongoing formula. I guess my hope is that at some point the story is going to break this format so that the story can flow in a little more organic way and we can get a more diverse view of this world in an issue, because at this point, I feel like we should have a little more perspective. Luckily what this format has given us is strong enough to hold my interest, up until now at least.

Is it worth it?
Everything this book has presented has been good and has left me wanting more. I don't feel like we've gotten enough yet to get a sense that the story as a whole will be satisfying, but what we've gotten so far has held my interest and I would recommend. The third issues picks up the momentum that started to slow down in the second issue and I'm continuing to look forward to what's coming next.

DC New 52 Review: Aquaman #1-3

2011-11-24T18:47:00.017-06:00

Aquaman #1-3
Written by Geoff Johns
Pencils by Ivan Reis
Inks by Joe Prado
Cover Price: $2.99

In a nutshell:
The creative team from Blackest Night again takes something familiar and stale and makes it cool and frightening.

Synopsis:
Arthur (Aquaman) is a character born of two worlds, his father being a human from the U.S., and his mother the queen of the underwater city of Atlantis. Unhappy leading Atlantis, Arthur chooses to once again live in the human world however he finds that he is not as respected by men as he is in the underwater world. Our real world jokes about Aquaman are the same in Aquaman's world. Meanwhile frightening creatures show up that originate from out of the trench of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, so deep that even Aquaman has never encountered them before. The creatures are like a cross between Piranas and humans and they have a huge appetite and seem to have the need to feed on humans as well as kidnapping humans in a cocoon of sorts and taking them back to the trenches for others of their species to feed on. Aquaman fights off these creatures and wants to find out what they are, where they came from, and how he can rescue the creatures that has been taken.

Why did I pick it up?
I feel a connection to the iconic "superfriends" that I grew up with, especially when they go "back to basics" or to the more iconic versions of the character. Geoff Johns revived Green Lantern and Flash and he and Ivan Reis also were the creators behind Blackest Night which is the only event book I've ever really enjoyed.

The Good:
This is the first time I can remember really connecting to Aquaman. What is often thought of as lame is played totally straight and feels cool. These new monsters are a different kind of threat but very creepy and frightening. In this story we also meet the brilliant Stephen Shin, one of Aquaman's mentors whom also once tried to kill him because of his obsession with Atlantis. There is a lot of foreshadowing in this encounter, a potential setup for a potential rivalry/threat, as well as the implication that Aquaman's Trident belonged to a threat that will return for it. Ivan Reis is an artist who has become more appealing as he goes on. He draws the characters and events clearly and the way they're supposed to be, and in a dynamic and exciting way. Oh, and Aquaman's wife Mera, she's a hottie!

The Bad:
In past posts I have commented about how it's more effective to imply something horrific than it is to display it out as bloody gore. There is a scene in issue 2 that does this perfectly. My only issue with it is that there used to be this rule in comics, kids don't get killed. If a superhero is representation of our hopes and fears, what is the point of the superhero if the child dies. What good is protecting the world in a child's eyes, if the child itself is dead. And I think this is another example how superhero comics have evolved from something for the inner child in all of us, to comics aren't just for kids anymore, to comics aren't for kids at all. So I think this scene is a powerful and effective scene, and horrifyingly scary. But I do think it is an example of something that is lost in the modern superhero comic.

The majority of the DC comics have gone from 22 pages to 20 pages and while that might not seem significant, it does feel a little lighter. What hasn't helped is that there have been six page previews of upcoming titles which becomes irritating when it's in every title and it just makes it clear how much story is missing that the last chunk of the comic is taken up with these shameless promotions. Imagine what a letdown it must be to actually buy this comics and being totally bored with the first third of the comic being overexposed before you ever picked it up. These kinds of promotions make me not want to buy the comics as opposed to the other way around.

Is it worth it?
Again, $2.99 is too much for a comic and with two pages cut out (the supposed justification for not making it $3.99, disgusting, especially in this economy), it's hard to tell people who's jobs are disappearing to other countries (thanks to a bipartisan collaboration at selling out the American worker for the benefit of Wall Street) that they should spend the better part of a five dollar bill on a comic they'll read through in less than twenty minutes. But this is one of the better creative teams currently working on superhero comics and Aquaman is finally being treated like a character you want to read about.

DC New 52 Review: Wonder Woman #1-3

2011-11-17T10:43:00.016-06:00

Wonder Woman #1-3
Written by Brian Azzarello
Art by Cliff Chang Cover Price: $2.99

In a nutshell:
A darker Wonder Woman tale that plays with her origin

Synopsis:
I wouldn't call this a horror story, but the story takes fantastic elements and interprets them in a horror setting. The Greek Gods in this story aren't as bright and shiny, they're very creepy and their presence is our world is quite startling. Paradise Island feels a bit like the island on Lost. Everything is a bit darker and Wonder Woman seems to be the most human of the characters we have met so far. In this story we discover a shocking twist about her origin, or at least it's shocking to Wonder Woman. It's hard to be shocked by twists like this in comics anymore and while Wonder Woman is one of the three big icons at DC, her iconic status is more associated with recognition rather than an intimate knowledge of her backstory. We know that Superman came from Krypton. We know that Batman's parents were murdered. But even as a comic fan I rarely think about the fact that Wonder Woman came from clay and it never seemed that important. Apparently Zues, king of the gods, likes to cheat on his wife and he has a number of illegitimate offspring. This pisses off Zues's wife Hera (I can't really picture Wonder Woman saying "Great Hera" after this story) and Hera is very jealous so she tries to kill these offspring when she can. Apparently Zeus is too busy being a slut to get involved in all of this. Zeus's latest conquest was a human young woman and Hera sends her minions to kill this girl whom Wonder Woman ends up protecting and bringing to her mother on Paradise Island. In the course of this Wonder Woman learns some shocking things about herself.

Why did I pick it up?
Wonder Woman is a character I loved as a kid but have had a very hard time connecting to as a comic book collector. Part of that is that it has taken this popular idea that feminism means being a better man than a man and a lot of the feminine qualities about her character have been swept away. Those characteristics, I felt, were a huge part of her appeal and, in my opinion, undervalued qualities in what is increasingly becoming a coldly competitive society. It's for that reason I feel that Wonder Woman could be the perfect hero to contrast that problem and show a reflection of something that's missing in us that we don't even know is missing. So whenever I know there is a new jumping on point for the character I give it a try.

The Good:
The story is well written in that it understands that we already know who Wonder Woman is, it's not just telling an origin story, but it has the character discover something about herself that allows the writer to say, here's your character, here's where she came from, here's how it's important to what she's dealing with right now. Although I was immediately put off but Cliff Chang's art as it marinaded it really started to grow on me and I think it's perfect for this story and I'll definitely keep my eye out for him from this point on. While this isn't necessarily the Wonder Woman I have been waiting for, I really enjoy it when creative teams of quality take these iconic characters and drop them into a different kind of story than we're used to seeing them in. I like that Paradise Island feels big and mysterious. I like that it's not just glistening in the sun. This gives it more depth and makes it more interesting to tell stories. Brian Azarello knows how to make something feel important even if we didn't go into it feeling that way in the first place, which is no surprise if you look at the work that he made his name on. Not everyone is an Azarello fan but you have to admit, the guy's name is based off his storytelling, not just playing with franchise characters that already get a lot of attention. I also really like that Wonder Woman's mother, Queen Hippolyta looks like her classic appearance again and not an older version of Wonder Woman. That might be that might be purely aesthetic but it's the little touches like this that makes me feel the roots of a character haven't been forgotten.

The Bad:
My daughters both love Wonder Woman and this comic isn't appropriate for them. I understand that it's tough to brand a character like Wonder Woman because girls don't support the comic industry enough to hold up a title like this and kids barely have a presence in mainline comics anymore, which is really the biggest shift in comics (that my generation took them with us). So you have this issue where some of the people buying the book want to see the sex appeal of the character. Some want this ultimate fighter warrior so that she can look badass next to Superman. And I really think that Wonder Woman hasn't established an identity in mainstream comics yet. I like this take on her so far. She seems more human than I've seen in a while. But when the creative team next shifts it's hard not to consider it as a possible jumping off point because at this point Wonder Woman is still just an icon. DC has to really figure out how to brand this character because I don't see that they've figured it out yet.

Is it worth it?
I'm enjoying this comic and I would enjoy it if this creative team stayed on it for a while.

DC New 52 Review: Action Comics #3

2011-11-10T11:36:00.015-06:00

Action Comics #3
Written by Grant Morrison
Pencils by Rags Morales & Gene Ha
Inks by Rick Byrant & Gene Ha
Cover Price: $3.99

In a nutshell:
Superman has a bad day, Krypton rocks!

Synopsis:
This issue begins with a flashback sequence featuring Superman's birth-parents in his last days of Krypton. Gene Ha supplies the art for this sequence and while I normally don't like it when two artists with conflicting styles share a book, Ha is the perfect artist to present Krypton (which is why I've chosen to display the alternate cover featuring Ha's art) and the Krypton sequences are separated from the present day in a way that frames it well. In the present day Superman has found that the corrupt corporate interests that he's been up against own the media and has been turning public support against him. This hits him pretty hard and he takes it personally. Both the Krypton sequence and the present day sequence seem appear to be setting us up to introduce the new version of Braniac.

Why did I pick it up?
Action is the best book DC is putting out right now!

The Good:
Gene Ha's art is fantastic and is perfect for Krypton. You gotta hope that Morrison and Ha do a World of Krypton mini series after reading the prologue in this issue. Morales is continuing to do the great job he's been doing. Other fans have told me that they think his work has a Mark Bagely vibe going on and that's what I was feeling as well, except I think this is better than Bagely's art. This world feels real to me. Superman may have powers but he's living in our world with all the screwed up politics, corporate interests, and the really hostile media environment. I'm enjoying his relationship with Jimmy Olson, whose update feels perfect for this book, and I hope that that will be a staple in the book from this point forward.

The Bad:
The extras in this book featured the creative decisions behind the other Superman family books, none of which interest me as much as Action, and instead of feeling like cool extras like they did in the last issue when it focused on Action, it felt like all the other marketing crap that comics are filled with.

Is it worth it?
While the present day sequence didn't give us quite as much meat as I would have liked, it does seem to be setting us up for some cool excitement ahead and the Krypton sequence leaves me in anticipation for more! Action continues to be my must read book each month!

Who is this Pin-Up Artist?

2011-11-09T15:58:00.005-06:00

I've come across two of these vintage Punchboards which I believe are kind of like the equivalent of old time scratch off lottery tickets, although obviously with a little more production value. They're both in excellent condition and feature gorgeous pin-up art featuring gorgeous girls. We're posting these for sale on Ebay and I want the artist names for the listings to help attract the right attention to them. The one with the blue background has a signature that is clear so I can identify the artist as Gil Elvgren. But this red one, which is my favorite of the two, only has a single initial which looks like an "E" and unfortunately my expertise on vintage pin-up artists isn't as sharp as it should be. I don't know if the E is the first name or the last name but I spent about an hour trying to figure it out and then decided I should

Basically I'm looking for help here. If you recognize the artist and/or the signature, I'd appreciate if you could leave a comment which is helpful not only for myself but for anyone else who might be interested in this art.

Thanks!

-Todd (beanlynch)

DC New 52 Review: Swamp Thing #1-3

2011-11-06T21:03:00.014-06:00

Swamp Thing #1-3
Written by Scott Snyder
Finished Art by Yanick Paquette
Cover Price: $2.99 each

In a nutshell:
DC brings Swamp Thing full circle.

Synopsis:
Swamp Thing was first created by Len Wein and Berni Wrightson in 1972 as scientist Alec Holland who mutated into a plant like creature. The Swamp Thing was part of the DC Universe and at times interacted with characters like Batman as he did heroic deeds while trying to regain his humanity. When Alan Moore took over the character in the 1980s, he retconned the origin by having Swamp Thing discover that the real Alex Holland was actually killed in the event that created him and that the Swamp Thing was a completely new entity that had absorbed Holland's memories. This completely changed the focus and motivation of the character and it gave the character new life. It was also a landmark story in deconstructionism which inspired many of the trends that followed including the creation of the Vertigo imprint which Swamp Thing was a part of that were horror or crime stories set in their own context outside of the DC Universe. Swamp Thing, along with Sandman and other Vertigo titles that followed were the hip books to read in the late 80s and early 90s.

But over two decades have passed now and what was once new and and exciting is now overlooked as the more mainstream superhero comics have adopted many of the sensibilities (for better or worse) that were inspired by Vertigo. Not so much as reinventing the character so much as recontructing him, the Swamp Thing story has once again been folded into the DC Universe as the story is retconned once again as we learn that Alex Holland did not die at the Swamp Thing's creation after all and he has now been bonded with "The Green" and now has all of the Swamp Thing's memories. In these first three parts of this new series, Holland is the focus character who is trying to figure out who he is a world that has changed a lot since he went missing, and his internal struggle with these memories he has from the Swamp Thing.

Why did I pick it up?
With all the new titles and a limited budget I was on the fence but decided to pass the week the book came out. Having listened to some feedback from other readers I decided to pick up the second issue along with the reprint of the first issue. The covers by Yanick Paquette which basically displays the iconic Swamp Thing the way he's supposed to look certainly didn't hurt and knowing that the interiors were done by the same artist was the deciding factor for me.

The Good:
Apparently this Scott Snyder guy has been making a bit of a name for himself on a title called American Vampire which I'm yet to read, but the story drew me in. I find Alec Holland an easy enough character to latch onto and I'm really curious to see how things have developed since I last read Swamp Thing. You don't need to have read Swamp Thing to enjoy this book. It gives you everything you need to know what's going on here. And the Art by Yanick Paquette, unbelievably good! The idea to reconstruct Swamp Thing by bringing back Alec Holland is probably is a story that most writers and fans have imagined at some point, and the execution of it here is totally on the money. I'm looking forward to discovering where these characters have been.

The Bad:
I'm not sure that bringing the character back into the DC Universe is doing anything for it so far. We got an appearance by Superman in the first issue, who looked just dreadful in that awful Jim Lee designed costume (I will never stop bitching about it, it is just so wrong for this decade...) and the appearance really didn't serve the story except to make it clear to readers that he is in the DC Universe again.

There are a few grotesque scenes in the book and that's not unexpected in a horror comic but I'm not a big fan of gore for the sake of gore and I personally could do without that horror involving psychopathic children and then the grotesque murders of children. This kind of shock doesn't impress me as much as it puts me off. I might have enjoyed this more if I was still in my early 20s, but then again back then there wasn't so much of that in my face. These days these passe´ attempts to shock me just turn me off and bore me.

The idea that the Swamp Thing's origin was destiny rather than accident and that Swamp Thing is an agent of the greater good fighting against the ultimate supernatural evil (as opposed to human "evil" which is a culmination of choices) takes some of the humanity out of the story for me. This isn't a new concept to the Swamp Thing story but it is a heavy focus in the third issue. My feeling is that the best stories have to be a reflection of something real to the human condition (which can be pretty broad). It doesn't always have to be obvious, but the story has to mean something that is a reflection of something in us. The idea of supernatural evil is only interesting to me as a story device that might provide opportunity for context so my hope is that the supernatural good versus evil theme isn't the true meat of the story.

Is it worth it?
Yes. If you're put off by horror, then it's not the book for you. But it's smart. It's intriguing. The art is fantastic. And despite my reservations, which you have to bare in mind that I will nitpick things I like more than things I don't care about, it's a really good comic.

DC New 52 Review: Superman #1-2

2011-10-26T20:19:00.012-05:00

Superman #1-2
Script & Breakdowns by George Perez
Finished Art by Jose Merino
Cover Price: $2.99 each

In a nutshell:
Perez packs more story and art on every page.

Synopsis:
Superman takes place five years after the events that are currently playing out in Action comics and I'm surprised just how well the books compliment each other. Clark Kent and his supporting cast again appear to be at a crossroads with many changes in flux. There are a series of attacks on Superman which appear to have some sort of relationship with Superman's home planet of Krypton. While it's not said outright, we get the idea that this is one of the first Krypton related threats that this Superman has faced.

Why did I pick it up?
I wasn't going to pick this issue up because I really really hate the costume (I haven't mentioned that or anything already, have I?), and even though I've always admired George Perez's work it's his art that's usually the draw and because he's only doing breakdowns and because I'm not familiar enough Jesus Merino's art and I've seen finishers not do Perez justice before so there just wasn't enough in the credit to draw me in. But when I paged through it in the comic shop I immediately recognized that this comic was the opposite of what is probably my biggest complaint with modern comics, that cinematic art shots leave too few panels per page to tell a satisfying story. George Perez's layouts prove that you don't have to sacrifice story for art.

The Good:
This is a very dense comic with lots of panels per page and while Merino's finishes are different from those of Perez, their styles compliment each other. It's an attractive book and it's also a book where I enjoy the characters. I'm personally glad to see Clark and Lois not married in this new continuity because it gives us the chance to create romantic tension in the book. it's refreshing to see a different take on the Lois Clark set up than what we've gotten in the past. Lois respect Clark and Clark's not just some square dork. He's not just a disguise for Superman, with this Clark Kent we actually see a reason for him to be a reporter. This is a character, whom like Superman, takes responsibility for the world he loves.

The Bad:
It's already been reported that Perez is leaving after the first story arc, and while I like Keith Giffen, the idea of a Dan Jurgens drawn Superman just doesn't feel fresh and exciting. It's hard to really enjoy a book that's just starting when you already know that creative shakeups are ahead. Oh, and the costume is terrible...

Is it worth it?
With more panels of story per page than anyone could ask for, without sacrificing the quality of the art, this might be one of the best buys for the dollar out there.

DC New 52 Review: I, Vampire #2

2011-10-26T02:22:00.008-05:00

I, Vampire #2
Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov
Art by Andrea Sorrentino
Cover Price: $2.99

In a nutshell:
Mary, Queen of Blood's point of view

Synopsis:
This issue basically builds upon the introduction from the previous issue showing the action with captions in Mary's voice. Mary is what we would view as the villain of the story, in favor of Vampire world domination and unapologetic about her vampire nature including her bloodlust. Despite this, while the conflict is quite passionate, it would have to be to divide them considering how much Mary and Andrew love each other, the story is presented similar to that of a divorce, presenting both points of view without, at this point at least, the context of an objective morality. Mary is definitely more self indulgent which makes her more selfish and more destructive but she's also the more at peace with herself and seems to be more passionate and happier while Andrew seem to live with self imposed torture.

Why did I pick it up?
I, Vampire #1 intrigued me and I found myself anticipating this issue more as the weeks through the month went by.

The Good:
Besides giving us Mary's point of view, we also get to see her admiration for her enemy, which gives us the opportunity to see just how formidable and powerful Andrew is. We get to see some of their abilities and vampire characteristics. Both characters seem to be able to turn into wolves and it's not clear if this is a common trait for vampires in this world or if only a select few can.

The Bad:
So far we have a very limited view of the story through the relationship of these two characters and we don't have any supporting characters yet. We don't really learn much more than we did last issue. While I enjoyed the issue I did feel like the story I do feel the story has stalled a little before we really got too much information which I think is dangerous for a new series to do when it's trying to build some momentum. There are also pages where I was confused by some of the action and the colorist could have done a better job of creating some distinction between the different bodies.

Is it worth it?
I'm excited about this one!

DC New 52 Review: Catwoman #2

2011-10-21T11:37:00.019-05:00

Catwoman #2
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Guillem March
Cover Price: $2.99

In a nutshell:
Too much artistic talent to waste on this kind of misfire!

Synopsis:
I remember reading an interview some years back with an artist whom I had a great deal of admiration for (I'm thinking it was Steve Rude, but don't quote me on that), and he said that he doesn't draw gruesome gore because it was unattractive what you showed off panel, sometime in shadow or by implication in the story telling, usually had more emotional impact than what you showed because it left the reader to ponder what was happening. Because every reader might have a different idea of what was horrifying, it could deliver the same emotional impact by allowing the readers to come to different conclusions. And that doesn't just apply to horrific and frightening scenes, it can also apply to what is sexual and sensual. This Catwoman comic is throwing it all out right in front of you, and with the violence I find myself grossed out, but not shocked. There is very little that I can find shocking anymore when everything is thrown out right in front of you. And it's not that I'm offended by it. I'm unimpressed. It seems childish to me.

The first three pages of this comic basically recap the Batman/Catwoman sex scene from the end of last issue. It doesn't really give us much new to it except to say, hey, don't forget that sensationalist moment from last issue" and to imply that there is some violence in the way they "make love". It stops the story in an unnecessary way. And the main problem with this comic is that it feels like it's overplaying these scenes to yell out, "look at me, I'm provocative and audacious", and that's just too hollow without more meat in the book.

The biggest question I have is a branding question. I like the idea that there are Batman stories and cartoons geared towards my kids and I like the idea that there are movies and comics geared towards adults like myself. And I'm not a prude. I'm cool with unauthorized pornographic parodies floating around. But when DC has a licensed character that is marketed to a younger audience and you mix sex and violence in the context of masochism and fetishism, I'd think that DC would want to be more careful with their brand.

Why did I pick it up?
I believe that Guillem March has the potential to be one of the greats and Catwoman is a perfect vehicle for his career.

The Good:
My fear is that substance Guillem March's talents are going to be glossed over by his over sexualized artwork. Truth be told, I have no problem with the sexuality of his work, Catwoman is supposed to be a sexy and provocative character, but it's overused and often mixed in with graphic violence which make me feel very uneasy when viewing it. The true talent is in his expressions and characterization. There is definitely a European quality to his artwork that has elements of Moebius and Manara.

The Bad:
At the end of the story, Catwoman finds her friend dead. Never mind that we just met this friend last issue who apparently is supposed to be one of her closest friends, the body is displayed in her over tight t-shirt pushing her breasts outward with a bullet hold in her forehead and blood all over the floor. The scene feels like it's enjoying itself too much and the mix of really grotesque gore with with obvious sexuality is much too close to the disgusting trash that Avatar publishes. Catwoman is then beat up in a way that displays her skin tight costume with graphic use of blood and on the last panel the villain asks "is this the irritating woman who has stealing from me?", to which Catwoman whimpers the quip and a bit of a smirk, "That's me...", as if implying "hit me again, I like it!" There is something really masochistic about this scene. When Batman and Catwoman are finished having sex earlier in the book it's described as violent sex which will leave bruises. It's not that I don't believe there are people with these fetishes, but the implication that Catwoman likes it rough and enjoys being beaten, it does make me wonder if there is some misogynistic fetish being worked out here (and I normally hate to throw that word around because I think it's often abused).

The other real problem I have with this book is the way Bruce Wayne approaches Catwoman later in the book, whom doesn't know that he's Batman (despite them getting it on together in masks earlier that day). He tells her to stop texting and it comes off like some girl's jealous and controlling obnoxious college boyfriend. There's nothing charming about this Bruce Wayne, he has no class, and a woman with class wouldn't give him the time of day no matter how rich and handsome he was. His dialog sounds like comic shop fanboy talk. It's just not believable, especially for this character.

Is it worth it?
I seriously believe that Guillem March will be a name to watch if he can manage this own brand, but I can't recommend this comic. The things it has going for it, which are really strong, just get too buried in what feels like exploitive and distasteful hype. At the same time I really want this comic to work so I will continue to follow it for now and I will leave my updated reviews as further issues

DC New 52 Review: Justice League #2

2011-10-21T09:52:00.012-05:00

Justice League #2
Written by Geoff Johns
Pencils by Jim Lee
Inks by Scott Williams
Cover Price: $3.99

In a nutshell:
Still moving the story way too slowly!

Synopsis:
This chapter basically begins with a classic Marvel style misunderstanding where the heroes fight each other for no apparent reason, basically to show that Superman can take on everyone (I can't help but think that this display is really a setup to establish Wonder Woman's power in a future issue by having her be the only one who can match Superman). This story adds in the Flash to the mix whom apparently already has a close relationship with Green Lantern. Batman is the cool headed one here which is refreshing considering that he's often been portrayed as an arrogant jerk in a lot of modern comics. Green Lantern refers to Batman in the comic as "a tool", but really, it's Green Lantern who seems like a teenage fanboy internet troll and I can't help but feel that these guys talking not just like guys in their early 20s, but immature reality show rejects, just isn't that appealing to read about. The story ends with us getting a little bit more about pre-Cyborg Victor Stone in which we learn about his father's relationship with him and we get the setup for his origin.

Why did I pick it up?
Because this is the series that has gotten the most media attention, I'm committed to seeing this story arc through.

The Good:
By the end of the comic I'm actually interested in the Victor Stone storyline. I think there is nuance in his relationship with his father who obviously sees the big picture very clearly, but misses a lot of the personal stuff. I'm also glad to see a Batman that is level headed and not brooding.

The Bad:
Have I mentioned how much I hate Superman's costume design? The fight between the characters makes them seem like arrogant jerks and the catty dialog really isn't appealing. This is the second issue and we still don't have any setup for Wonder Woman, who not only is one of there big icons that DC has, but is also the only female member of the team and because this is the book that DC has been pushing as the face of their big relaunch, it seems like a really miss to not offer something for female readers to relate to. The story is moving way too slowly and the and there is so much action that the story feels like it doesn't have room to breathe. It feels like a setup to get the characters together and I just don't feel like we're getting natural introductions to these characters.

Is it worth it?
This issue is an improvement from the last issue, but I still can't recommend it in this format. I'm as of yet undecided and open to being surprised by this story, but I would recommend at this point to hold off and wait until the story is done and then get the book sized collection when that's released if the story seems to come together.

DC New 52 Review: Action Comics #2

2011-10-05T18:50:00.015-05:00

Last month's Action Comics #1 was by far the brightest light of the new DC relaunch and extends possibility that the hope that the gamble that DC is making might pay off. So it's only natural that I would present a follow up review for Action Comics #2 which was released today.

Action Comics #2
Written by Grant Morrison
Pencils by Rags Morales
Inks by Rick Byrant
Cover Price: $3.99

In a nutshell:
Grant Morrison shows us the Superman we didn't know that we knew by bringing him back to his roots and by stripping away the static cling!

Synopsis:
Following the events of the last issue, Superman is being held prisoner by Lex Luthor and the military where is experimented on which includes being electrocuted in an electric chair, being exposed to toxic acids and poisons, and various attempts to poke him with needles. When he finally gets his bearings he breaks out with swagger and a cocky sense of humor. Meanwhile, Lois Lane, whose father is the head of this military unit, is doing her own sassy style investigation. We get little glimpses of what looks to be the coming of Morrison's versions of Metallo and Braniac.

Why did I pick it up?
Last month's Action Comics #1 was one of those comics I read over and over again. There as just a magic in it that connected with me and my only fear picking this up was that some of that magic might be misplaced if Morrison's ultimate vision didn't connect with me. What happened however, was the opposite. I'm even more enthusiastic than before about where Morrison is going.

The Good:
We got more of that same Superman we got last issue but even more so. Superman isn't worried about being the ultimate boyscout. Don't get me wrong, he's not the high school jock either or the internet nerd that has to buff out his chest on message boards to feel good about himself. No, he's the good guy, he knows he's the good guy, and he's not going to dance around it. Lex Luthor is a pathetic weasel and Superman can't even be bothered by him. He's having a good time being Superman and we're having a good time following him. What I really loved in the comic were the design sketches and the comments by Morrison and Morales at the end of the comic. It's the sort of extras that we usually see in the back of the over-sized hardcover Absolute Editions and it really felt that they were giving us something for that extra dollar that you pay for this title as opposed to the rest of DC's titles. Oh, and that cover... icon and amazing! It's obvious that Morrison loves Superman. This is a totally different Superman than what we got in his All Star Superman epic, and yet both versions are some of the best Superman stories every told!

The Bad:
Because the last issue had extra pages of story, Brent Anderson drew a few pages of this issue so that Rags Morales could catch up. Anderson is a good artist in his own right and his style doesn't clash that badly with Morales's style, but if there is a seam that would be it (but it's a really small one). My main complaint is that I have to wait another month for the next issue!

Is it worth it?
Not only is this comic worth the extra dollar it costs, this is one of those few stories that I will collect as it comes out then later buy the deluxe hardcover collection and keep both!

DC New 52 Review: Detective Comics #1-2

2011-10-05T16:03:00.011-05:00

Detective Comics #1-2
Written & Drawn by Tony Daniels
Inks by Ryan Winn
Cover Price: $2.99 each

In a nutshell:
A new villain, a new love interest, and the Joker loses his face.

Synopsis:
Batman takes on the Joker and a new threat whom calls himself the Dollmaker, while as Bruce Wayne we get to see the more charming and witty side of the character that has been absent in the comics for quite a few years. Bruce is dating journalist Charlotte Rivers. The first issue has a cliffhanger where it appears that the Joker's face has been surgically removed by the Dollmaker who appears only in shadow. In the second issue we don't see the Joker again yet but Batman's ally commissioner Gordon is kidnapped by the Dollmaker and when it reappears at the end it appears that his face has been seamed together which leads you to believe that we might have a plot similar to the 1990s movie, "Face Off" and that this might be The Joker taking the Commisioner's place.

Why did I pick it up?
Batman is one of my favorite comic characters and an icon. I generally avoid the more cluttered stories where the iconic qualities take a back seat to dense continuity, which I feel dates the stories when you look back at them, but I'm always hopeful when there is a clear starting point that there might be a possibility for a starting point. The comic shop buzz I've heard is that Tony Daniels is a good artist for Batman, but a weak writer, so I wasn't intending to pick the book up but that last page cliffhanger where the Joker's face is removed gave the hope that we might get a fascinating story twist out of this, despite the grotesqueness of the image (I will give them credit for not actually showing the operation which made that last scene all the more powerful).

The Good:
I'm glad to see Bruce Wayne doing something else beside sulking around and my favorite part of these first two parts of the story seeing him playful in the workplace and flirting with his new love interest. I'd read a story just about Bruce Wayne when he's not in Batman mode, if this is the version of him that we'd get. The art is attractive and displays the story well.

The Bad:
Some of the dialog is cliched and over the top in the first issue, but I can usually dismiss such things and not get caught up on it. What bothers me the most is that Detective Comics, a series that has had an uninterrupted run since it started in 1937 (and which DC Comics gets its name from), is being relaunched with a new #1 issue just so it can fit into the formula of this DC marketing event. It seems like a really short sided way to muddy the legendary status of this book. The name Detective Comics only has meaning to established comic fans because it is the oldest running Batman book and you have to think that if the point is to bring in new readers it's not the best title for the book. While it's likely that DC will eventually return to the old numbering letting the new series fill in the gaps so that Detective Comics will reach it's 1000th issue for DC to market, there is something swarmy and illegitimate about this and it really muddies the indexing of the title. That's not a condemnation of the story itself but as a collector I'm really put off by shortsighted marketing scams that break down the traditions that have kept me collecting for the sake of the hype machine driving a few months of increased sales.

Is it worth it?
I'm undecided so far if this story will be fulfilling. The story that's coming could play out in a fresh way but it could also play out as a really bad cliche. The the writer-side storytelling isn't so bad that I'll ditch it before it plays out and it does feel like we might have the possibility of a modern classic Joker story here, but it isn't so good that it'll be worth the ride if the destination isn't a good one.

DC New 52 Review: Catwoman #1

2011-10-04T21:15:00.015-05:00

Catwoman #1
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Guillem March
Cover Price: $2.99

In a nutshell:
Provocative sensationalism distracts from a decent story.

Synopsis:
This is one of the comics this month that has gotten a lot of internet coverage due to the provocative sexuality in the story and art. The story starts when Catwoman apartment is invaded and then blown up (it's unclear if the perpetrators are going to be important to the story or if they're just another random group of criminals that she ripped off doing their usual business). But Selena finds herself without a place to live and without cash so she connects with her friend Lola who sets her up with a place to squat as well as a thieving gig. While undercover as a waitress spying on the Russian mob, Selena spots a man named Renald who killed once shot and killed a woman important to Selena (it's not clear what the relation is at this point) in front of her when she was young. She starts to seduce Renald in the ladies room and then starts to beat and claw him in a very bloody and grotesque scene. She escapes the mob, returns to the penthouse she's squatting at, and gets it on with Batman, at which it's stated that they do this from time to time but they don't know who they are.

Why did I pick it up?
Catwoman is one of those characters that I really enjoy when she's done right. The cover design was seductive enough to get my attention. When paging through the interiors I was put off by some things but curious enough that I felt it was worth checking out the first issue.

The Good:
While there is a lot here that exploits the sexuality of the character (and by exploit, I mean uses it in a way that is only provocative and doesn't serve the story and/or characters), I did enjoy the story. It's not a totally new Catwoman story but it's a good template story that tells you what the character is all about. I spent a little bit of time trying to figure out if Guillem March was just another 90s/Image style clone or if I really liked his stuff and there is something stylistic about it that separates his art from most of the artists who draw in a similar style, and he looks to have the potential to become even better if he continues to evolve as both a designer and an illustrator.

The Bad:
There is nothing vague about the sexuality in this comic which is apparent from the cover which shows Catwoman lying on her back holding a little sack of jewels, which resembles a used condom, with white pearls pouring out of it and onto her cleavage, breasts, and body. I don't have the most conservative taste and I admit that there are "adult only" entertainments that I enjoy, but wouldn't let my daughters read this comic, which isn't a condemnation in itself because the 1980s Catwoman mini-series was a much darker comic that would probably be even less appropriate for children under ten, but I do ask the question (while not coming to an absolute conclusion myself), when a character or title has iconic status as something that is marketed towards kids, how far should we be willing to take a more adult orientated version of the character? I think it's a safe bet to assume that we won't see a DC comics character in licensed porn, at least for a few years yet. But there was a time in comics when DC had the label, "DC comics aren't just for kids anymore". Now it seems like the label might read, "DC comics aren't for kids at all", and I do wonder when the official continuity of characters we grew up reading is primarily for older teens and adults, did we perhaps take these characters with us to the point of leaving nothing left for the kids who once were the primary audience? Truthfully, as an adult I like more mature stories. The problem is that the kind of provocative sexuality and violence feels contrived and reads more like B-rated cheese than the HBO style shows I think it's trying to emulate and I think that works against the story instead of serving it. I do admit that despite being a bit overly exaggerated and beyond the usual "good girl" cheesecake that I usually find appealing in comic art, there is something about March's style in drawing hotties that makes it more seductive than most of the exaggerated artists in comics whose girls don't have a sense of reality or weight to their anatomy. What I had the biggest problem with in the comic is a very graphic and bloody scene. Nothing turns me off more than when you mix sex, which is something at the core of us, and graphic violence which turns it into something difficult to stomach. And I am a strong believer that when it comes to violent scenes what you imply in shadow or off panel can have a stronger emotional impact than graphic displays of celebratory blood and guts which just seem to enjoy itself more than I am comfortable with.

Is it worth it?
Despite my reservations I liked the comic enough that I will buy the next issue, however, we need to get a little more focus on the story in the second issue. I don't have a problem with Batman and Catwoman having a sexual relationship, but I think that being so graphic about it, as opposed to implying it, is a distraction that draws away from the story and makes it more difficult to escape into believing. If this comic forms the formula of the gratuitous T&A scene of the month, I'll get bored fast because lets face it, if I just want something tantalizing, there are a lot more material I can find that will be a lot more satisfying.

DC New 52 Review: I, Vampire #1

2011-10-04T09:43:00.007-05:00

This is my third review on the New 52 titles.

I, Vampire #1
Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov
Art by Andrea Sorrentino
Cover Price: $2.99

In a nutshell:
Typical Modern Vampire Story set in the DC Universe

Synopsis:
In this story we meet what looks to be the two main players in this series, Andrew, who looks to be the main protagonist, is a vampire who wants to peacefully coexist with humans, and his lover Mary who has a blood lust and wants to lead a Vampire Army to take over the earth. The couple has been together for four hundred years, since Andrew turned Mary into a vampire, and we're lead to believe that they had some sort of relationship before she was turned and that she had a very different nature to her when she was human. Mary seems to fully love Andrew for what he is, even loving that he opposes her plans for conquest. Andrew on the other hand has a more puritanical view of Mary, still holding on to the human she used to me and denying the blood thirsty vampire that she has become. The story flips back and forth between their last night together and the war between them that follows.

Why did I pick it up?
I originally wasn't going to. The cover art is good but it's such a popular style these days that it really didn't give me an idea that this was any different than most other comics out there. But the timing just lined up right as I've been sucked into HBO's True Blood series which just ended their fourth season, and I was feeling some withdrawal. When I paged through the comic at the comic shop I was pleasantly surprised to find that the art had a more realistic and moodier style than what was represented on the cover, so I gave it a shot.

The Good:
What makes this comic interesting is that, so far at least, is the external conflict is just a reflection of the relationship issues between these two lovers. True Blood fans with notice the similarities between Andrew and Bill Compton in that they both are in denial of their more carnal vampire natures and they both wish to peacefully coexist with humans. Mary you can imagine might be what True Blood's Sookie might eventually become if she was changed into a vampire, letting go of the innocence and repression and fully realizing her hunger and passion. Andrew is haunted by the pureness in his love for the human that Mary was and his feeling that he has tainted her. And he is torn because he realizes that Mary is a serious threat to the world that he cares about. It's not a new story concept to have enemies who are connected this way, but it is one that draws you in.

The Bad:
When characters like Superman and Wonder Woman are mentioned as potential enemies for Vampires to fight, it is distracting as this story doesn't really feel like it exists in the same world as superheroes. Early issues of horror/fantasy comics Swamp Thing and Sandman also acknowledged the existence of DC's superheroes and yet their Vertigo runs were totally self contained and it's not hard to get past in this story but it would not serve this comic well if eventually the stories crossed over with superhero characters.

Is it worth it?
If your a fan of modern vampire stories, this looks like it's going to be a good series to follow. The first issue has me committed to buying the next.

DC New 52 Review: Action Comics #1

2011-09-25T14:13:00.020-05:00

This is my second review of the current DC Relaunch. I want to start by saying, I'm not against reboots. My feeling is that reboots allow you to move iconic characters forward without losing the ability to return them back to the qualities that make them icons without undoing the stories that evolved them. My only issue with this one is that DC got a partial reboot just a couple years ago with Infinite Crises and with the average story taking almost six months worth of issues, I don't really think that got as fleshed out as much as it could have. I'm also a huge fan of the Superman work but Geoff Johns and Gary Frank, especially Superman: Secret Origin which was just released collected form this year, and I think it's a shame to throw that out when it's still so fresh. But I'm going to judge each comic individually on their own merits.

Action Comics #1
Written by Grant Morrison
Pencils by Rags Morales
Inks by Rick Byrant
Cover Price: $3.99

In a nutshell:
Superman, hero for the little guy!

Synopsis:
Despite his icon status, perhaps because of it, Superman is one of the hardest characters to write and make captivating. Part of it is because Superman is up on a pedestal and I would argue that he belongs there and that it's very possible to tell good stories using the character by tapping into the readers core fears, hopes, and inspirations, especially in a cynical age where we could use it. Perhaps part of the struggle writers have in doing it is because Superman's become this household name and corporate representation to everything Americana, which makes it hard to distinguish him and to give him an opinion or have him take risks. Well, this Superman breaks the mold, or at least the mold that we've come to think of him as. In truth when Superman first started in 1938 he has a little more swagger. In fact in his very first story in the original Action Comics #1 he breaks into the Governor's mansion and breaks all kinds of laws to stop a wrongful execution and beats up a wife beater. He's going to make sure that right is done and he's not concerned about breaking some rules to do it (after all, he's Superman, who is going to stop him?). Grant Morrison's current take on Superman appears to go back to these roots and this story starts off with Superman taking on corrupt capitalists and not in the most delicate way. Grant Morrison is about as close to a rock star as there is in comics and even though you know he's a bit of a provocateur he's definitely an A List writer.

Why did I pick it up?
I love Superman but enjoy so few of his comics. Grant Morrison wrote All Star Superman which is one of my favorite comics of the last decade and even though everything I've heard about this series makes it sound completely different, this is the one book of the New 52 that appealed the most to me. Also, perhaps because I loathe Jim Lee's new costume design for Superman, the T-Shirt and jeans seems to work for me, which I wouldn't think it would.

The Good:
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this issue, definitely appreciating a Superman that has a progressive edge to him, especially as it seems there is more and more ingrained corruption in our society and the media and politicians have become so accepting of it. This Superman is a little radical in today's world and, from my perspective, that's not radical at all! This isn't my favorite take on Superman but this is a Superman I was to read and, so far at least, it's a Superman comic I want to follow. Art is important to me and Rags Morales has a style I can appreciate (lets put it this way, Superman's jeans actually look like jeans, not skin tight spandex with seams). This Superman is all new and yet looks classic. Superman isn't married to Lois Lane in this version which I know will upset some of the die hards the way it did with Spider-Man when his marriage was retconned, but it gives us a chance to get a little more romantic chemistry into the book and one of the good things about rebooting a series is that you can get to unload baggage without undoing it.

The Bad:
It's not Superman Secret Origin! No, seriously, for two decades John Byrne's Man of Steel set the ground work for Superman and when Geoff John's Secret Origin replaced it, it was such a good story, it's a damn shame that almost immediately it is undone, especially because I felt there was something magical about the Geoff Johns/Gary Frank Superman stories and I was hoping to see more added to them. That's less of a criticism of this story as it is praise for another story. The only concern I have about where this book is going is the glimpse we got of General Lane (Lois Lane's military father) and Lex Luthor who look like they're going to be the main antagonists of the book, and I'd really hate to see typical arch enemy/evil mastermind scheming pull away from the part of the story that I think is the more appealing. But we'll have to wait to see.

Is it worth it?
This and Justice League are the only books from the relaunch that I've noticed having a $4 cover price as opposed to the $3 price that most of the other books have (which in my opinion is already too much in the current economy especially because you can find most comics a year later on ebay for a fraction of the cost and with the collected editions becoming the more desired format). But, if $4 is something you're willing to spend on a comic book, this is the one to pick!

DC New 52 Review: Justice League #1

2011-09-23T22:56:00.013-05:00

Since DC has relaunched their line this month with new #1 issues of their mainline titles as well as a (partial) restart to the history of their characters, I've been searching for reviews that could give me the scoop on the books I haven't been checking out. In doing so I found very few reviews of the ones that I have been checking out that have matched my own feelings on those books or the feedback from other fans at the comic shop I do work for. So I've decided to review the books that I had enough initial interest to pick up. This is the first of those reviews.

Justice League #1
Written by Geoff Johns
Pencils by Jim Lee
Inks by Scott Williams
Cover Price: $3.99

In a nutshell:
Where's the beef?

Synopsis:
My main problem with this comic is that I feel like I've read it already. I get that this book is supposed to appeal to new readers, but that doesn't mean there aren't new ways to introduce characters in comics and team them up so that the story will be fresh. The story structure is very similar to the first issue of All Star Batman and Robin and the changes seem to be for the sake of being more provocative but really, these ones are kind of tired cliches at this point, not just in comics but other popular media as well. The majority of the story is about Green Lantern meeting Batman, we get a glimpse of pre-origin Cyborg, and most of the characters in the comic aren't in it. We see that Batman is an outlaw, but we've seen that before so it's not really a shocking start and the dialog feels contrived. Besides the dialog, it's not that the story is bad, it's that it feels like half an episode and doesn't really give us an idea of what the Justice League is about and why we should care. Since the story starts with the captions explaining that it is five years in the past, perhaps what it could have used is a scene preceding what is now the opening scene that shows the entire team in an actions sequence in the present time so we get to see the characters on the cover that haven't made an appearance yet (which is almost all of them) and we get a sense that something actually happened in the comic.

Why did I pick it up?
Curiosity, primarily. The advance images with the costumes really put me off but Jim Lee and Geoff Johns are top talent. While I'm not a hard core DC fan, I do feel a connection with Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman and the other "Super Friends" that I grew up with. So having really mixed expectations, I decided to take a risk on the chance that it might end up being an iconic story after all.

The Good:
This isn't Jim Lee's best art, but it's still Jim Lee with Scott WIlliams on inks (the under-appreciated member of that art team).

The Bad:
The costumes look dated, they seem to follow the trends of the 1990s with the only addition from the current trends in comics being a ridiculous amount of seams in patterns that don't make much sense. Superman has armor now for a costume and a ridiculous looking collar that reminds me of alternative versions of him we saw in 90s stories like Armageddon 2001 and the DC Year 1,000,000 Annuals. Of the DC trinity, only Batman has any story time, Superman doesn't show up until the last panel, and Wonder Woman isn't even in it which really doesn't give anything for the female reader who might be checking out the comic. The characters just seem in general to be snarky, confrontational, and pissy (kind of like fanboy posturing on internet message boards) which I don't find offensive but isn't interesting and has sort of become a cliche in modern comics. The cover is a week design, the character renderings on it and strange poses and angles are not examples of Lee's talent and the orange background cover and weak logo don't help. The characters that are supposed to be in a normal non-superhero setting looks like they're posed like superheroes and they are tensed up for battle, which might mean those kind of scenes are Lee's "Achilles Heal" as an artist (and perhaps one of the reasons Hush looked so awesome is because no other writer focuses on tailoring their stories to their artist like Jeff Loeb does). Geoff Johns has done so many amazing stories that were just home runs for me. Both him and Lee are A caliber talent. But they didn't bring their A game to this issue!

Is it worth it?
For $4 in today's economy, when most of the other books are selling at $3 with a story that feels incomplete, not at all! Which doesn't mean the complete story won't be good, but for a first chapter this really doesn't hook you. If the rest of the story arc delivers perhaps the trade would be worth it. But this single issue is not!

My Favorite Posters: Phoenix Classic - 1986

2011-04-03T13:52:00.003-05:00

DARK PHOENIX
By Rick Leonardi & Terry Austen

I had this vintage poster on my wall for many years as a kid but when I got out of highschool it was so beat up that I just threw it away. A few years back I went on an ebay spree of coveting old posters that I loved as a kid and just today I found I owned the poster, rolled in brand new condition, not even realizing that I had it after spending a couple of days searching the web for any image I could find of this (the only ones I have been able to find were either very small or in black and white). Since it bugged me so much that I couldn't find this, I'm putting it up here so anyone else who wants to find this has a source to draw from... truly one of the coolest X-Men images ever from the era that X-Men was actually cool (as opposed to overexposed and impossible to follow).

What this thing in Wisconsin is really all about... Elections Campaigns!

2011-02-21T10:59:00.005-06:00

Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin: What a hypocrite! The guy is union busting by limiting the freedoms of unions that support state workers, but offers the ones who give him and other Republicans money, an out! This is soooo dirty and so telling This was never about the budget, it was all about hurting people who give money and support to the Dems! It's all about money and politics!

Bring Back The Original Pizza Pit Devil Logo

2011-01-29T15:17:00.009-06:00

Petitioning the Pizza Pit Franchise to bring back the orginal devil logo!

For those of us who grew up in Madison in the 70s and 80s, Pizza Pit WAS pizza! There is still nothing quite like a piece of greasy Pizza Pit pizza with that spicy sauce... mmmm (unless it's from one of the franchise locations that Pizza Extreme bought so they could run them into the ground into the ground by using Pizza Pit's name to peddle their own inadequate thin crust pizza (their stuffed pizza is excellent though). You can still count on the East Wash and Fish Hatchery locations to bring you the original recipe with pretty consistent quality.

Why was the logo changed to that, now out of date logo, that looks like it was designed for a neon sign? Were their religious groups upset about a devil for a logo? In Madison? It's not like devils aren't used playfully all over the place, especially not an issue in one of the most progressive cities in the country. If the Pizza Pit brand has been run into the ground by pour management, it's those of us who love it that lose. Let us suggest to the powers that be at Pizza Pit, that a step in the right direction is "bringing it home" and nothing is more symbolic to that than bringing back the logo we identified as "Madison's pizza", the pizza that was always at the Willy St. Fair back in the day, that had huge pizzas by the slice in the malls, that East High students still trek over to for their lunch, and that has that spicy sauce that no one can beat! There are other great pizzas in Madison, but nothing brings it home like Pizza Pit!

I recreated the logo in Adobe Illustrator off an image I found on the web (not that it isn't one of the simplest logos to recreate). If the Pizza Pit people are ready to submit to our demands and bring back the original devil logo, I will happily make it available to them if they don't have a vector EPS file.